Stressed former police officer Abraham Smith is unfit to give evidence at the Palazzolo inquiry, a clinical psychologist said on Monday.
Psychologist Petrus Roux was called to testify at the hearing in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court after Smith broke down in the stand last week and was admitted to a clinic.
Smith, who was boarded from the police in 1999 with post-traumatic stress disorder, was a member of the presidential investigation task unit set up to probe alleged Mafioso Vito Palazzolo’s South African activities.
Roux told the court Smith’s condition is chronic and requires constant monitoring.
Specific traumatic events triggered a set of symptoms that included depression, anxiety, flashbacks to past events, general stress, emotionality and paranoia.
“It is regarded as very serious as it affects a person’s sense of sanity,” Roux said.
Roux said Smith’s experiences as a member of the unit were a specific trigger for his condition to deteriorate.
Asked how Smith would cope with questioning in court, he said: “He may understand the court proceedings but his ability to participate and give evidence may be compromised.”
The prognosis was difficult and Roux and a psychiatrist will monitor Smith’s state for at least four weeks.
Magistrate Derek Winter said he will make a final decision on Smith’s fitness to testify after the remaining witnesses have been heard. — Sapa
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